Favorite stops in the south
- Thread starter B&B Burks
- Start date
B&B Burks
New member
A special thanks to Steve and Joan for helping two needy souls who are looped or looping. Thank you both for the help.
We are off and boating down the Tenn Tom. Nervous about are first lock
experience it turned out to be like riding a bike, been there done that. After
100+ whatttt. The new to us boat runs well and we are enjoying her. The
only problem is putting all the stuff someplace. We will be away from home
for four months and that a lot of stuff. Oh well.
We do look forward to seeing a few friends on the way and taking our time
to enjoy the towns and people on the way. We will anchor out when needed
but people are where it’s at and marinas and cities have them.
So we are off, Demopolis tomorrow and then to Bobby fish camp. Our stay
in Columbus, marina as excellent and the people were great and very helpful.
We are anchor in a delightful cove at Sumter landing. As all C-Dorys swinging
in the breeze. Time for dinner and get ready for the adventure tomorrow.
We are off and boating down the Tenn Tom. Nervous about are first lock
experience it turned out to be like riding a bike, been there done that. After
100+ whatttt. The new to us boat runs well and we are enjoying her. The
only problem is putting all the stuff someplace. We will be away from home
for four months and that a lot of stuff. Oh well.
We do look forward to seeing a few friends on the way and taking our time
to enjoy the towns and people on the way. We will anchor out when needed
but people are where it’s at and marinas and cities have them.
So we are off, Demopolis tomorrow and then to Bobby fish camp. Our stay
in Columbus, marina as excellent and the people were great and very helpful.
We are anchor in a delightful cove at Sumter landing. As all C-Dorys swinging
in the breeze. Time for dinner and get ready for the adventure tomorrow.
B&B Burks
New member
Hello, Hello
We are off on a slow cruise down the Tenn Tom. Occasionally I do have to do some high steeping and run her up over 20kts. Lots of logs in the water and we have had wind which makes for white caps and 2 to 3 close chop. Like my wiper blades.. I am having a hard time not figuring out why Bobby’s Fish Camp was not on favorite stops in the south. We are definitely in the south and Bobby’s is the last fuel stop, or the last anything until Mobile. Go figure,
just an oversight I am sure. Not a whole lot to do here, I would need some wood to whittle. The are said to have the best catfish in Alabama and we will have to try some.
For those traveling this way Demopolis Kingfisher Marina is top drawer. Great stay only problem it was to short a stay. Nice folks and nice boaters.
Tomorrow is a weather day for us 3 inches of thunder storms projected.
Keep a light on for us.
Bob
We are off on a slow cruise down the Tenn Tom. Occasionally I do have to do some high steeping and run her up over 20kts. Lots of logs in the water and we have had wind which makes for white caps and 2 to 3 close chop. Like my wiper blades.. I am having a hard time not figuring out why Bobby’s Fish Camp was not on favorite stops in the south. We are definitely in the south and Bobby’s is the last fuel stop, or the last anything until Mobile. Go figure,
just an oversight I am sure. Not a whole lot to do here, I would need some wood to whittle. The are said to have the best catfish in Alabama and we will have to try some.
For those traveling this way Demopolis Kingfisher Marina is top drawer. Great stay only problem it was to short a stay. Nice folks and nice boaters.
Tomorrow is a weather day for us 3 inches of thunder storms projected.
Keep a light on for us.
Bob
B&B Burks
New member
Hello, Hello
We are off on a slow cruise down the Tenn Tom. Occasionally I do have to do some high steeping and run her up over 20kts. Lots of logs in the water and we have had wind which makes for white caps and 2 to 3 close chop. Like my wiper blades.. I am having a hard time not figuring out why Bobby’s Fish Camp was not on favorite stops in the south. We are definitely in the south and Bobby’s is the last fuel stop, or the last anything until Mobile. Go figure,
just an oversight I am sure. Not a whole lot to do here, I would need some wood to whittle. The are said to have the best catfish in Alabama and we will have to try some.
For those traveling this way Demopolis Kingfisher Marina is top drawer. Great stay only problem it was to short a stay. Nice folks and nice boaters.
Tomorrow is a weather day for us 3 inches of thunder storms projected.
Keep a light on for us.
Bob
We are off on a slow cruise down the Tenn Tom. Occasionally I do have to do some high steeping and run her up over 20kts. Lots of logs in the water and we have had wind which makes for white caps and 2 to 3 close chop. Like my wiper blades.. I am having a hard time not figuring out why Bobby’s Fish Camp was not on favorite stops in the south. We are definitely in the south and Bobby’s is the last fuel stop, or the last anything until Mobile. Go figure,
just an oversight I am sure. Not a whole lot to do here, I would need some wood to whittle. The are said to have the best catfish in Alabama and we will have to try some.
For those traveling this way Demopolis Kingfisher Marina is top drawer. Great stay only problem it was to short a stay. Nice folks and nice boaters.
Tomorrow is a weather day for us 3 inches of thunder storms projected.
Keep a light on for us.
Bob
thataway":1mu5bvug said:
If you'd rather not do that and do smaller day trips and see some really cool places go see St Marks, Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, and then Tarpon Springs.
Really cool spots and what Old Florida was like. To me not to be missed.
Before you get there Palaxfox in downtown Pensacola is a tad out of the way but extremely cool, PegLegs in Pensacola Beach is a really cool place that not many people know about.
B&B Burks
New member
Hello,Hello, to our friends who are following us on our adventure.
We left Bobby’s and down streamed to an anchorage just off the river, all good. After that amount of rain lots of logs in the water, but we zigzagged our way down past some very helpful tow skippers, past Mobile to Dog River.
The marinas there are really boat yards and fuel docks and it did not work well for us. Best to say my bride is a real trooper. Mobile Bay can really kick up
some waves and there were 2’s to 4’s on the way into Dog River and we decided to leave at O Dark 30 for Pensacola and Parafax Marina. Thank you Ken for that recommendation, it was a great stop and would have liked to stay longer but the adventure continues. In Pensacola we had lunch and toured and visited the lovely home of Bob and Marie. We have been with the Austin’s on other occasions on the water but nice to be able to picture them in a home setting. Special time.
Then off to Bluewater Marina in Niceville. Nice. Kind of a funkie place but we like it. Recommend by some boating buddies in Demopolis and glad they did.
Oops, we are staying longer here because of weather, rain and wind. There is a AGLCA harbor host here and docktails were in order. A very “nice” couple in Niceville. I do love the name Niceville. Will do some provisioning here, need some fruit and romaine lettuce. Bad joke. The marina here is very active and it a real pleasure to see people enjoying water craft of all types and sizes.
Sail boat race out in the bay, fishing boats,paddle boards et al. Very fun.
There are young kids playing in the water and making memories, does make a water person nostalgic and joyful.
Fair winds and calm seas to you all
We left Bobby’s and down streamed to an anchorage just off the river, all good. After that amount of rain lots of logs in the water, but we zigzagged our way down past some very helpful tow skippers, past Mobile to Dog River.
The marinas there are really boat yards and fuel docks and it did not work well for us. Best to say my bride is a real trooper. Mobile Bay can really kick up
some waves and there were 2’s to 4’s on the way into Dog River and we decided to leave at O Dark 30 for Pensacola and Parafax Marina. Thank you Ken for that recommendation, it was a great stop and would have liked to stay longer but the adventure continues. In Pensacola we had lunch and toured and visited the lovely home of Bob and Marie. We have been with the Austin’s on other occasions on the water but nice to be able to picture them in a home setting. Special time.
Then off to Bluewater Marina in Niceville. Nice. Kind of a funkie place but we like it. Recommend by some boating buddies in Demopolis and glad they did.
Oops, we are staying longer here because of weather, rain and wind. There is a AGLCA harbor host here and docktails were in order. A very “nice” couple in Niceville. I do love the name Niceville. Will do some provisioning here, need some fruit and romaine lettuce. Bad joke. The marina here is very active and it a real pleasure to see people enjoying water craft of all types and sizes.
Sail boat race out in the bay, fishing boats,paddle boards et al. Very fun.
There are young kids playing in the water and making memories, does make a water person nostalgic and joyful.
Fair winds and calm seas to you all
Glad you enjoyed Palafox. Blue Water Bay Marina is where I keep my boat. In the high and dry.
I stayed at St Andrew's Marina in Panama City a couple months ago (your next stop) and it was wonderful. Floating docks and you tie up on the middle dock. Easy. Also several nice restaurants within walking distance and historic area. I loved it!
I stayed at St Andrew's Marina in Panama City a couple months ago (your next stop) and it was wonderful. Floating docks and you tie up on the middle dock. Easy. Also several nice restaurants within walking distance and historic area. I loved it!
B&B Burks
New member
Thank you Ken for your help. We will try St Andrews Marina if they have room.
We also plan to cross to Steinhatchee and visit the the small ports on our way south. As this cruise evolves we really like input like yours and others to enjoy the areas we are going thru. Thanks again.
Bob
We also plan to cross to Steinhatchee and visit the the small ports on our way south. As this cruise evolves we really like input like yours and others to enjoy the areas we are going thru. Thanks again.
Bob
Pandy Girl
New member
Following You Jim & Sandy Jessup (Pandy Girl)
B&B Burks
New member
Hello again friends, another up date from C-Pearl and team Bob & Betsy. We did go to Panama City and stayed at St Andrews Marina. Great stop and very helpful marina personnel. We stayed 2 days and enjoyed being off the boat and walking around in the revitalized historic district. Then we were off to Apalachicola, and remembered from a former visit good food at the Taproom, which didn’t disappoint. Too short a stay there because of possible weather windows from Carrabelle to Steinhatchee. We should have stayed longer, we like this little town.
Carrabelle is ok but we were looking for our first long gulf crossing. The marinas in Carrabelle are not floating docks and there are only certain times we can both get off the boat, tide charts become very important.
We went to a local festival and everyone was enjoying the time. Kim at c-Quarters Marina was very helpful and knew lots about weather. Our last night there a large boat came to the marina dock and I helped land her. There was a delivery skipper in charge of the boat and surprise, surprise the first mate on the boat was our own Mike Byrd. He recognized both C-Pearl and us. We only spent a little time together for he was busy with the boat and we left at o dark 30 the next a.m. Small world and good catch up.
Next was Steinhatchee after an approximately 85 mile gulf crossing. Just over 5 hours. Uneventful. The marina, Sea Hag , is basically a fisherman spot, but it worked for us. This is an adventure you know, so any port is good in need. You get what I mean.
Still wanting more experience of what they call The Foregotten Coast, we ventured up the Suwannee River a little ways. The name was the calling and a very small laid back place it is. Definitely old Florida, but we only had a brief stay. On the out, in the main channel the boat stopped. We have been there before and we were going very slow, so we backed her off, found the other channel and beat a hasty retreat. Gratefully no harm done. Then on to Tarpon Springs, another 80 plus open water trip, also uneventful. Pat Anderson’s blog describes Tarpon Springs very well.
We are now in Clearwater and probably our next stop will be Sarasota. Will be starting the crossing of the Okeechobee Waterway soon. Really looking forward to that part of this journey. But have friends in Naples we hope to touch base with first.
Life is good with us and we are enjoying what each day brings. Hope it is good for you all too.
Carrabelle is ok but we were looking for our first long gulf crossing. The marinas in Carrabelle are not floating docks and there are only certain times we can both get off the boat, tide charts become very important.
We went to a local festival and everyone was enjoying the time. Kim at c-Quarters Marina was very helpful and knew lots about weather. Our last night there a large boat came to the marina dock and I helped land her. There was a delivery skipper in charge of the boat and surprise, surprise the first mate on the boat was our own Mike Byrd. He recognized both C-Pearl and us. We only spent a little time together for he was busy with the boat and we left at o dark 30 the next a.m. Small world and good catch up.
Next was Steinhatchee after an approximately 85 mile gulf crossing. Just over 5 hours. Uneventful. The marina, Sea Hag , is basically a fisherman spot, but it worked for us. This is an adventure you know, so any port is good in need. You get what I mean.
Still wanting more experience of what they call The Foregotten Coast, we ventured up the Suwannee River a little ways. The name was the calling and a very small laid back place it is. Definitely old Florida, but we only had a brief stay. On the out, in the main channel the boat stopped. We have been there before and we were going very slow, so we backed her off, found the other channel and beat a hasty retreat. Gratefully no harm done. Then on to Tarpon Springs, another 80 plus open water trip, also uneventful. Pat Anderson’s blog describes Tarpon Springs very well.
We are now in Clearwater and probably our next stop will be Sarasota. Will be starting the crossing of the Okeechobee Waterway soon. Really looking forward to that part of this journey. But have friends in Naples we hope to touch base with first.
Life is good with us and we are enjoying what each day brings. Hope it is good for you all too.
You guys are getting to my favorite cruising ground. After this I'm not much help.
St Pete Municipal marina is really cool as you are in downtown St Pete. Walking distance to tons of restaurants and always something going on. However, not floating docks and can be hard to get on and off the boat for some.
Marina Jacks is my favorite in Sarasota. Floating docks and a blast to walk the docks and see all the BIG BOY YACHTS. Take an Uber/Taxi over to St Armands Circle. Wife will love it and fantastic restaurants. Also, 2 nice restaurants right at the marina. Publix not far... there are 2 of them and one is not so close (don't ask me how I know this after walking 4-5 miles! lol)
Boca Grande Marina on Gasprailla Island is really nice and you can rent a golf cart and explore.
If you like to anchor Cayo Costa is fun but a little south is....
My favorite marina in all the world. South Sea Resort (used to be Plantation until the PC crowd took over) on Captiva Island. It's first class and beautiful. No floating docks but the tide is not too bad. Wonderful restaurant right at the marina. You will see manatee every time you visit. Dolphin running up and down the quay wall. Its a paradise. Also take the trolley into town to a small grocery and nice restaurants. The Mucky Duck in town is were everyone goes to watch the sunset and have a cocktail.
At the bottom of Sanibel Island is Sanibel Marina. Cool marina and great restaurant at the marina. You can rent a car for cheap within 1/2 mile for a day or so. Outlet mall right across the bridge on the mainland. Drive over and see the Edison and Ford museum. Very cool!
St Pete Municipal marina is really cool as you are in downtown St Pete. Walking distance to tons of restaurants and always something going on. However, not floating docks and can be hard to get on and off the boat for some.
Marina Jacks is my favorite in Sarasota. Floating docks and a blast to walk the docks and see all the BIG BOY YACHTS. Take an Uber/Taxi over to St Armands Circle. Wife will love it and fantastic restaurants. Also, 2 nice restaurants right at the marina. Publix not far... there are 2 of them and one is not so close (don't ask me how I know this after walking 4-5 miles! lol)
Boca Grande Marina on Gasprailla Island is really nice and you can rent a golf cart and explore.
If you like to anchor Cayo Costa is fun but a little south is....
My favorite marina in all the world. South Sea Resort (used to be Plantation until the PC crowd took over) on Captiva Island. It's first class and beautiful. No floating docks but the tide is not too bad. Wonderful restaurant right at the marina. You will see manatee every time you visit. Dolphin running up and down the quay wall. Its a paradise. Also take the trolley into town to a small grocery and nice restaurants. The Mucky Duck in town is were everyone goes to watch the sunset and have a cocktail.
At the bottom of Sanibel Island is Sanibel Marina. Cool marina and great restaurant at the marina. You can rent a car for cheap within 1/2 mile for a day or so. Outlet mall right across the bridge on the mainland. Drive over and see the Edison and Ford museum. Very cool!
One place I want to try and if it's as cool as I think it will be it will be really cool! It's only accessible by smaller boats which means a C-Dory will be perfect. Very out of the way and not known about but in the middle of eveything.
Shipwreck Motel In St Myers beach and right in the middle of everything.
Damn. Just called. No water and no power. Damn.
Shipwreck Motel In St Myers beach and right in the middle of everything.
Damn. Just called. No water and no power. Damn.
Hey Bob,
I think we passed you guys yesterday just North of Charleston. My friend has a boat and two slips at Ashley marina, he sent a pic of your boat the day before. Sorry I didn't know you were in town. I thought it may be you guys when we saw you, should have hailed on the vhf but the kids were being a little difficult, lol. Anyway beautiful boat, let us know if you need anything while you're in the area.
I think we passed you guys yesterday just North of Charleston. My friend has a boat and two slips at Ashley marina, he sent a pic of your boat the day before. Sorry I didn't know you were in town. I thought it may be you guys when we saw you, should have hailed on the vhf but the kids were being a little difficult, lol. Anyway beautiful boat, let us know if you need anything while you're in the area.
B&B Burks
New member
Brandon, thanks for the post, yours was one of the few C-Dorys we have seen on the water and I should have radio you. A missed opportunity. We are now in Little Water and heading for Southport today on the northern trek. We should cross our wake in the next 2 weeks and our adventure on the water will be over, then a long pull to Arizona. Sorry we did not make contact.
Bob
Bob
I use to sail out of Little River in the Long Bay Sailing Association, good people up there. I realized after we crossed paths that we probably won’t see many C-Dory’s in our neck of the woods. Hope you have good weather and a pleasant finish to your journey. Next time we cross paths we’ll have a chat and take a few photos .